The transfer of pollen from male to female plant parts is called?

• A. Germination
• B. Pollination
• C. Ovule
• D. Fruit

Answer: (B)

Pollination is the movement of pollen from the male parts of a flower (the anthers) to the female receptive surface (the stigma) of a flower. This transfer is essential because it brings the male gametophyte into contact with the female ovule, setting up the possibility of fertilization if a compatible pollen grain successfully grows a pollen tube to the ovule. From there, fertilization can occur, leading to seed development.

Germination refers to a seed beginning to sprout, which is a later stage after seed formation. An ovule is the structure inside the ovary that develops into a seed after fertilization, and fruit is the mature ovary that often encloses the seeds. So the transfer of pollen from male to female plant parts is best described as pollination.